Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Congenital mitral valve narrowing causing breathing and paralysis
By Campbell, Fiona E & Thomas, William P·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2012·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis in 14 cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 cats, mostly male Siamese, were diagnosed with congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis, a rare heart defect. Symptoms included breathing problems, hindlimb paralysis from blood clots, and some were found to have heart murmurs without other signs. Many of these cats also had high blood pressure in the lungs and other heart issues. Unfortunately, the long-term outlook for these cats was not good, with most having died or been euthanized within a year of diagnosis.
People also search for: cat breathing problems · Siamese cat heart murmur · cat hindlimb paralysis treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis (SVMS) in cats. BACKGROUND: Supravalvular mitral stenosis is an uncommon congenital cardiac defect that has not been previously reported in a series of cats. ANIMALS: 14 cats with SVMS. METHODS: Medical records, relevant diagnostic studies and preserved pathology specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: Cats were presented over a wide age range (5 months-10 years; median 3 years); males (n = 9) and the Siamese breed were over-represented. Presenting complaints included respiratory distress (n = 6), hindlimb paralysis due to aortic thromboembolism (n = 5) and asymptomatic heart murmur (n = 3). Echocardiographic examination often identified pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (n = 7) and concurrent cardiac abnormalities (n = 7), especially partial atrioventricular septal defect (PAVSD) (n = 4). Status 12 months following diagnosis was known for 9 cats; 8 of these had died or were euthanized. CONCLUSIONS: Cats with SVMS are usually presented as young adults for respiratory signs attributable to congestive heart failure, aortic thromboembolism or incidental murmur identification. Congestive heart failure, PHT and concurrent congenital cardiac abnormalities (specifically PAVSD) are common. Long-term prognosis for symptomatic cats is poor.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22386585/